Detroit officials say repairs underway after 54-inch water main break in Southwest Detroit

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) director Brown told the City Council on Feb. 18 that crews are working to repair a 54-inch transmission main that burst in Southwest Detroit and that the city has activated emergency response and homeowner assistance processes. “We—re pumping the hole that was created. We—re pumping the water out so that the crews can get to excavation and repair of the break,” Brown said.

Brown said crews had isolated the main and that repairs are underway. “A break of this size normally takes anywhere from a week to 10 days to complete the repair,” he said. He also said a smaller, separate six-inch DWSD break affected roughly three blocks and that DWSD expected that smaller break to be repaired the morning after the council meeting.

The department estimated about 398 homes lie inside the incident footprint; Brown said about 200 of those had called DWSD as of the night before the meeting to report damage or request assistance, and that door-to-door inspections and safety checks were continuing. He told council that DWSD had set a single number to begin claims and service requests: (313) 774-5261. “That that kicks off everything,” Brown said.

Brown described the immediate response steps: pumping basements where water collected; arranging hotel rooms at the city—s expense for residents without heat; contracting with repair firms to sanitize basements and to repair or replace furnaces and hot water tanks; and expediting a claims process. He said GLEWA/GLWA (Great Lakes Water Authority) will share costs with DWSD and that the city had negotiated a 50/50 split for initial emergency response costs. On that split, Brown said: “Let's get the work done, and we'll add up the cost, and we'll split the cost, between the 2 entities.”

Assistant Chief Fitzgerald of the Detroit Police Department described the rescue and safety operations during the incident, noting door-to-door outreach, dive-team assistance and animal rescues. “The collaboration was incredible yesterday,” Fitzgerald said. “We had 76 family members that were impacted and over 2 60 some have, we were able to pull out, along with a lot of different animals, 12 dogs, a pigeon, a chicken, and a rabbit.” He also warned that debris and glass under floodwaters made walking hazardous.

Brown said DWSD had convened 12 contractors for an emergency coordination call at noon the same day and that the department would prioritize homes without heat or water and basements needing immediate pumping and sanitation. He said the department would also work with general services and others to remove debris and collect damaged items curbside.

Council members pressed for clearer public communication and a longer-term capital plan for aging transmission lines. Brown and council members discussed inspection and rehabilitation limits, noting that large transmission mains are difficult to inspect while under pressure and that agency priorities are set according to material age, soil conditions and other engineering factors.

The council was told that the mayor would hold a press conference at 2 p.m. and that a further briefing would be available to the public. Brown reiterated the central phone number for claims and service: (313) 774-5261.

Ending: The council paused other business during the public comment period to take the update and indicated additional briefings and a mayoral press conference would follow. The department said it would continue door-to-door outreach, prioritize homes without heat and water and expedite claims and repairs until the immediate crisis subsided.